Diana Penty, known for her understated yet impactful presence in Bollywood, has recently reflected on her career, offering insights into the surprising success of "Chhaava" and reminiscing about her debut film, "Cocktail." In a recent interview, the actress shared her thoughts on the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the evolving landscape of audience reception.

Penty expressed genuine surprise at the widespread acclaim and commercial success of "Chhaava," a historical drama released earlier this year. "Chhaava's success took everyone by surprise," she admitted. The film, featuring Vicky Kaushal in a prominent role, has resonated deeply with audiences, exceeding initial expectations and solidifying Penty's position in the industry. She highlighted that the historical backdrop of her character, Zinat-un-Nissa, Aurangzeb's daughter, was the biggest role she has played in her career so far.

Reflecting on her Bollywood debut with "Cocktail" in 2012, Diana Penty acknowledged the film's significant impact. "Cocktail did a business of over 100 crore back in 2012 and…" she stated, underscoring the film's commercial success at a time when crossing the 100 crore mark was a remarkable achievement. The Homi Adajania-directed romantic comedy, also starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, not only launched Penty's career but also set a benchmark for multiplex-targeted films, being one of the first to achieve such a feat in its opening week. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values, was particularly well-received, earning her nominations for Best Female Debut at various award ceremonies.

Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri. She later signed up for Homi Adajania's Cocktail instead; at Ali's suggestion.

Following "Cocktail," Penty took a deliberate approach to her career, choosing roles that offered her the opportunity to explore diverse characters and genres. This led to a four-year hiatus, after which she returned with "Happy Bhag Jayegi" in 2016. She has since appeared in films like "Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran," "Shiddat," "Selfiee," "Azaad," and "Adbhut," showcasing her versatility as an actress.

In addition to her film career, Diana Penty remains a prominent figure in the world of endorsements, representing various brands and products. Beyond her professional endeavors, Penty recently shared insights into her personal life, revealing that she has been in a relationship with diamond merchant Harsh Sagar for 12 years. She emphasized the importance of their families' support and their contentment with their relationship, regardless of marriage formalities. The actress made it clear that they are not in a rush to get married, emphasizing that their families prioritize their happiness above all else.

Currently, Diana Penty is sharing the screen with Diljit Dosanjh in "Detective Sherdil," which was released on Zee5 on June 20, 2025.